These pictures are of the Beverly Hills project, developed by Taman Ratu, and of the Surin Apartments project, developed by Bolton Bhd – all in Tanjung Bunga, the constituency of former Chief Minister Koh Tsu Koon
Clearly, there is a need to check if the developers have complied with the conditions in the development order and to see if the retention ponds are functioning properly. If these have been flouted, the MPPP has to issue a stop-work order.
This is what Taman Ratu says about itself and its Beverly Hills project:
Welcome to Beverly Hills 11200
Your very own residential sanctuaryEvery carefully considered acquisition of an elite Beverly Hills Property speaks volumes of its proprietor. With its Mediterranean inspired resort-like architecture and landscaped surroundings, Beverly Hills 11200 is a retreat as much as it is a showpiece featuring impeccable design and development credentials.
Captivating
no single word can more appropriately describe the effervescence of our latest collection of Exclusive Residences
Nestled between a rich backdrop of Hill and Sea, our selection of distinctively tailored private residences caters towards the most discerning of tastes
Taman Ratu Sdn. Bhd. is a property developer with years of experience in Malaysia, with a perfect track record in sales, dedicated to enhance the living standards.
Building on the success of The Marina Tower, Twin Towers, Coastal Towers, and The Straits Regency, as the ultimate statement in stylish luxury living with the grand seaview of Ratu Mutiara, Tanjung Bungah, Penang.
The Pakatan state government must ban all hill-slope development from now on. It cannot afford to adopt a “business friendly” stance with such developers – not at the expense of residents and their surrounding environment. This is a clear-cut case of “business friendly” policies running counter to the people’s interest.
A clearly upset Lim sent in this comment:
Yes, all hill development should stop right now itself. The state government should not allow the Surin project or any other projects on hill slopes to be developed. This will only lead to the destruction of Penang. I appeal to PKR, don’t continue to allow what BN has allowed.
I am a victim of these two recent floods, one in July and this recent one. You cannot imagine my suffering and stress.
Han2 mourns the Penang he has lost and holds Koh Tsu Koon responsible:
I just moved back from KL to my own house in Batu Ferringhi and each time I pass those hill slope development projects, I can only think of human greed and the stupidity of the previous state government for approving these projects. I do not know what to make of these projects but the muddy sea water tells me all is not right. When I see Koh Tsu Koon in person, I will insist he explains his decisions to me to my satisfaction before I let him go. He ruined my Penang.
More pictures inside
As for the Surin project, it is being developed by GLM Property Development Sdn Bhd, which is 100 per cent owned by Bolton Bhd. Here is some information from Bolton’s 2008 Annual Report. Notice the emphasis on speed:
Surin, Penang
Surin development was soft-launched within three months of completion of the purchase of the land. The speed in which we turnaround a raw piece of land into a development project is a critical factor in our investment decision as a short lead time eliminates many project risks.
Since its initial soft-launch in November 2007, Surin has registered encouraging sales of more than 65% of the 198 units of the first tower on offer. Contribution to the Group’s revenue will be significant in the next two financial years.
Substantial shareholders of Bolton Bhd:
No. Name of Substantial Shareholders Direct Interest %* Indirect Interest %*
1. Forum Equity Sdn. Bhd. 67,993,410 22.25 – –
2. Gajahrimau Capital Sdn. Bhd. 46,500,000 15.22 – –
3. Dubai Investment Group Limited 28,500,000 9.33 – –
4. Lim Yen Haat 10,943,383 3.58 5,133,926(1) 1.68
5. Chin Jit Pyng 9,571,606 3.13 8,000,000(2) 2.62
6. Lim Hooi Teik 8,725,900 2.86 9,053,400(3) 2.96
7. Dato’ Mohamed Azman bin Yahya 3,500,000 1.15 46,500,000(4) 15.22
8. Hopaco Properties Limited – – 67,993,410(5) 22.25
9. Lee Choong Lim @ Lee Tin Fook – – 67,993,410(6) 22.25
One irate resident said he tried to contact Bolton using the email address on their webpage to inform them that their project is causing environmental damage and financial loss to nearby residents:
My post to Bolton failed. This Bursa Malaysia company does not give a damn and is uninterested to receive postings from the public despite advertising their address in their corporate webpage.
On Mon, 9/8/08, postmaster@bolton.com.my <postmaster@bolton.com.my> wrote:
From: postmaster@bolton.com.my <postmaster@bolton.com.my>
Subject: Delivery Status Notification (Failure)
…
Date: Monday, September 8, 2008, 2:36 AMThis is an automatically generated Delivery Status Notification. Delivery to the following recipients failed. general@bolton.com.my
Yes, all hill development should stop right now itself. The state government should not allow the Surin project or any other projects on hill slopes to be developed. This will only lead to the destruction of Penang. I appeal to PKR, don’t continue to allow what BN has allowed.
I am a victim of this two recent floods, one in July and this recent one. You cannot imagine my suffering and stress.
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It’s been a long time since I last went back to my hometown in Penang and I wonder how it looks like now. Looking at the pictures above (and also from the earlier posting), I am sure the hillside in Penang is going to be a BALD in no time as I am now.
It sure looks different from the days I used to ride my Honda-cup round the island. gone are the flora and fauna, fresh air and serenity. Development is good but NOT at the expense of the good people who have stayed there for all their lives. I suppose the residents affected with the flood water can group up and file a class action against the developer.
Perhaps Anil would like to get the ball rolling, what says you?
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Our area in Ipoh was hit two weeks ago, whole factory and office and the whole surrounding area submerged in water. Already filed complaint with JPS and Local council till today no reply from them, as usual.
This was primarily cause by hillside development in the area cause whenever it rains the river water is muddy and brown in color.
The Pakatan MP show his face and was here during flood time and guess nothing is being carried out.
Well this is Malaysia, when something happen then only act or should I say show face only.
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Yes, it is not only happening in Tanjung Bungah, but along the Batu Ferringhi hill slope development projects too. Ivory Homes and Asia Green are the main culprits. They are just disasters waiting to happen. According to a foreigner, who is a former civil engineer, the lateral forces of the Ivory Homes slopes are too great to be contained by those paper thin walls they erected. I drive along that road 4 times a day and everytime I pass that stretch, I pray hard that it doesn’t come crashing down on me.
The new state Government should order the Municipal Council or whichever authority involved to reassess these projects. Cancel and retract their licences if necessary. Life is more important than satisfying the greed of a few luxury home owners.
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dear anil,
this is terrible bro. the beauty of old Penang Island is lost. i suggest your gather the people of Penang and do what they can do best —>>> Demonstration!
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I just moved back from KL to my own house in Batu Ferringhi and each time I pass those hill slope development projects, I can only think of human greed and the stupidity of the previous state government for approving these projects. I do not know what to make of these projects but the muddy sea water tells me all is not right. When I see Koh Tsu Khoon in person I will insist he explains his decisions to me to my satisfaction before I let him go. He ruined my Penang.
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Ratu Mutiara has maximised every inch of land for the five projects — Twin Towers, Coastal Towers, Marina Towers, Regency Tower and now Waterfront. In each of these projects there is hardly any space for children at all! Where do the children play? They used to play badminton, kick ball, cycle and fly kite on the road (the one which was flooded). Now, of course the traffic is so heavy, it is no longer safe, and these poor children are now locked away in expensive pigeon holes entertaining themselves with computer games and game boys.
At one time, the developer promised that the land currently occupied by the Waterfront project was for recreation purpose. Of course, it is now gone.
Hello authorities, where are you? How can you allow this? Malu! The Malaysia Second Home buyers and tenants are now shunning this area. They are going further up to Batu Ferringhi and further downwards Why? You tell me.
And now Surin to add to the congestion. I hope the authorities will go and check out the site immediately. IF IT CONTINUES TO RAIN, I BELIEVE COASTAL TOWERS AND REGENCY ARE IN REAL DANGER. THE DEVELOPER HAS CUT THE HILL UP TO THE VERY EDGE OF THESE TWO HIGHRISE BUILDINGS — EVEN MY SIX YEAR OLD CAN SEE THE DANGER COMING. PLEASE, BEFORE A MAJOR CATASTROPHE HAPPENS — WE ARE NOT JUST TALKING MUD AND FLOOD HERE.
Of course if a major catastrophe happens, PKR, you will be blamed.
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ban? no… dont ban this and that when there’s a problem… from a environment/geotechnical engineer point of view… i think these hill developements are not the only bane of flash flood. We need to take more robust measures (a BIG part of it is maintainence) on the existing infrastuctures such as sewerage, rainwater pits and landscaping. I cannot stress more on landscaping as exposed sidewalks have a larger surface compared to the hill developements (although i think the amount of developement ongoing should be regulated due to the high rainfall nature and the stereotypical slumber type city council). So educate people not to throw junk in the rainwater drainage systems (smack your kids when they throw junk LOL). MPPP people dont be lazy and take a bigger part on the developement of penang (more legistlations and more trainned people to handle the enforcements). We dont have to stop developing if we enhance/repair what we already have.
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I think, we the affected property owners by the constant floods should start a working group to come out with a list of recommendations to the state government on this matter.
It is pointless for all of us to say “Penang should stop all hillside development” as Penang is running out of land for development. Where are the new generation going to live? It is bad enough for the new generation having to put up with 650-750 sq ft of living space now . They not as lucky as their fathers that are able to owned landed property.
Reclamation of land is very expensive and not so eco-friendly unless with strict enforcement (usually cannot happen). The other way is to slowly move up to the hills. Again there must be strict enforcement which has never been done.
If we look into places like Hong Kong or Monaco, super highrise are built on hill slope with good, strict planning and designs. Penang can be as beautiful as these places and without regular flood if good practices are put in place by the authorities. We don’t need rocket scientise to understand basic requirement in flood prevention.
Most of our early development started from the low lands near the coastal areas and the drainage system was designed for outflow capacity of the density of the area designed for those days like Bayan Baru for example.
As all lowlands are used up for developement than any further development has to move to the higher ground towards the hills. The problem lies in the approving authorities without considering the expansion of the drainage infrastrutures in the lowland areas before they start approving more developement in the higher hinterland.
The large volumn of water generated by the new development in the hinterland could be increase twice or more to flow down to the old developed area. These old areas had the drainage designed 20 or 30 years ago and will not ne able to take the new capacity and thus the large volumn of water would overflow and cause flood to the low areas.
By looking at the pictures provided by the your readers, the drains were not designed to take the additional capacity from the new development nearby and more water would be coming when the constuction is on full steam.
The question here is, we have the experts the various departments to approve building plans in the local council, didn’t they know about these elementry requirements and foresee the problems of flood would arise before they approved the development plans. They should have expanded the drainage in the area first before allowing the construction works to start. Could they be closing one eye or both eyes?
If you look at TNB, they will calculate the power requirement for new developemnet in the area and bring in more power and get the developers to put up the required amount of sub-stations.
So if TNB can forecast the require capacity and do it, why not the local council do the same? The local council can ensure the widening of roads for new projects, why not widen and deepen the drainage system first?
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The reality is that once a development has been approved its next to impossible to stop it.
The present government can only make sure the developer complies with the conditions that has been imposed on the developer when the development plans were approved by the local council.
In the event you are concerned by an ongoing deveelopment, you may consider writing to your State Assemblyman, MP or even the CM. The CM can then direct Council to look into the development to ensure all conditions are being complied by the developer.
As for new development, the State Government should ensure that all new hill slope development approvals by Council are closely scrutinized.
Otherwise you know what to do in the next General Elections.
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KongKor said: “Development is good but NOT at the expense of the good people who have stayed there for all their lives.”
Let’s pause for a second and examine the first 3 words of your statement. “Development is good.” Reminds me of the Guinness slogan, “Guinness is good for you.” Or my mother’s constant reminder when I was a kid: “Milk is good for your bones.” These are memes that have been passed down from generation to generation until few question them anymore.
I happen to be one of those few. When Mahathir declared war on nature with his utterly stupid “fully industrialized nation” Wawasan 2020, I went in the opposite direction. I left the city to find my true home among the Orang Asli in the forest. I regarded Dr M’s concept of “devilopment” shallow and totally lacking in aesthetics – or ethics. People like him who are fascinated by “modernity” can only understand “growth” as a PHYSICAL phenomenon; and it is measured largely in terms of Gross Domestic Product and economics. In short, bogus visionaries like Dr M only think in QUANTITATIVE terms – rarely QUALITATIVE. “Growth” and “devilopment” on the physical level must observe strict limits – or it leads inevitably to CANCER. Intellectual and spiritual growth, however, have no limits and will not impact adversely on the physical landscape. A community that emphasizes intellectual and spiritual development over physical growth is ultimately a healthy, “sustainable” one.
Those that focus only on physical/fiscal growth inevitably breed criminals across the entire spectrum of society – from thin, desperate ones to fat, corporate ones.
At this juncture of Malaysia’s evolution, we must revise all the nonsensical and deleterious unwisdom that was pumped into us by the school system, mass media, and government propaganda – and turn away from greed-driven “devilopment.” This is the return path to wholeness and harmony where we value LIFE ITSELF beyond the abstract notion of monetary “profit” (which usually benefits only a tiny elite of politically connected towkays).
This is a complex subject, but I just wanted to use this opportunity – now that we have sincere people at the helm in Penang, Selangor, Perak, Kelantan, KUala Lumpur, and Kedah (and within a matter of days, at most weeks, a brand new uncorrupt federal government) – to
remind people that the problem lies with our putting the cart of economic expediency before the horse of ethical and aesthetic maturity, having been taught for generations to look down the wrong end of the telescope at reality.
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Why so outdated thinking? Hong Kong manages hill side development wonderfully. After a few initial incidences, they took hold of the situations. The key word is proper implementation and enforcement. Penang Island does not have much land, so hill slope should be developed.
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Have living in batu ferringhi for the past 35years,very sad about what is actually happening for this four stupid years we have been living in fear,wondering when the hills will gush down and bury people driving past,
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veyy sad about what is happening to tanjung bungah and all the way up to batu ferringhi,hill slopes developement have not been in control,
causing residents who are suffering ,due to all this greedy developers.Hill projects like Ivory homes,Asia Green are the culprits
Imagine over four years ago,the hill were beautifuly green ,the next day the whole HILL was being cut down . THE HILL WAS BOTAK OVERNIGHT,
We felt so sad,but what we can do,
Eversince then mud have been gushing down to the road, each time ,during a heavy downfall,
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For us people living up in batu ferringhi,its frightening driving to and fro,lately asia green has build a retention wall by the road side to try and stop the mud from coming down,Please for goodness sake anil get someone to come and take some picture,that wall has got some crack,they try again to patch by pasteting with cement,it is not safe,i can assure it might collapes any time,
we now actually have got blue hills(all blue plastic) instead of green,it is sickening.I wonder when the state goverment is going to take action,ban them,
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Penang Hill’s Viaduct Road is completely cut off by large landslides, especially around that mysterious whatever flower nursery. Worse because the tram repair now is going to be longer than “two” months.
See more Penang flood reports at
http://www.penangwatch.net/node/2993
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To my mind, the Approving Authority for all these projects is a blur. Who? Who are these persons who have their hands in this pie? Their names must be published in the papers. Their faces too. I believe, in a tribe they will be tied up and hung from the trees!
It is no use pointing the finger at these two words “Approving Authority”. Who each step of the process down to the receptionist gate-keeper! They must be held accountable, if not they will continue doing it as they have been doing for the last 30 years. Better still, sack them all as I am sure old habits such as receiving duit kopi will be hard to change.
Hello, “Approving Authorities” please identify yourselves! Show your faces to the people of Penang.
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Hi May,
The “Approving Authorities” are merely the politically appointed underlings doing the bidding of their political masters, the biggest of whom was in the Chief Minister’s Office for eighteen years and under whose tenure, all these approvals were given.
So go after the big boss and not the minnows if you are serious in wanting accountability.
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If the MPPP cant handle these cocnerns & grievances, write to the MP concerned, chintong@bukitbendera.org
It’s time the new government govern the whole state effectively & listen to the concern of the people.
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Why need so many hillside developments and super condos? After all, at prices from 700K to 1.x mil those projects will be eventually priced out of reach for the average person. Who is going to stay there anyway? Foreigners?, investment only? They should focus on building affordable quality housing for the people.
Don’t spoil the beauty of Penang, especially Tg. Bungah. I was just commenting last week to my wife, that Tg. Bungah is fast turning into ‘Condo Alley’.
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In any country there is a need to balance development and nature preservation. And devt has to happen responsibly. Banning hillslope devt is not the answer – the answer is in a responsible and civic conscious devt.
HK has many devt on hillslopes – same in other countries. But unfortunately in Msia, it is not the devt but the way it is being done that creates problems. Even non hillslope projects have also tumbled down in our country. So the answer lies in getting these developers to be more responsible and they will have to answer to these problems even in future.
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i hv been staying here in Tg Bunga for the past few years. Am owning 1 aprtments by developed Tm Ratu. And bought a over million landed property developed by the same developer. I dont see any problem at all. The person who took the pictures (the first picture aft the map) didnt not snapped the entire road. I dont denied there was a flood, but the flood was merely less than 3 meters width in its side to side dimension .. The photographer didnt DARE to snap the whole road as his complaint will to no avail. No doubt road on the place where the flooded area was a little shallow in comparing with the whole long service roads in Jln Tanjung Bunga. This pple are changing their stomache full to hungry because he is jus a too FREE retiree with nothing better to contribute to the society and sitting so lonely at home complaining, bringing burden to the society. He does what he thinks are rite and never measure the benefits for the pple. In what his complaints, it will only leads to house price depreciation in tg bunga area. So sad, with his knowledge i hope he will contributes more beneficial to the society instead of digging problems deeper n deeper
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hello people,
i’m not sure how are u people gonna take this… i have a question here, esp. to anilnetto , some NGOs and those who oppose development projects etc.. WHY ARE YOU PEOPLE , INSTEAD OF FINDING SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS , END UP BLINDLY AND PESSIMISTICLY OPPOSING DEVELOPMENT. SERIOUSLY.. WE , LOGICALLY , RATIONALLY AND WITH SOUND MIND SHOULD WELCOME DEVELOPMENT , NOT OPPOSE AND PROTEST AGAINST WHILE IGNORING AND LETTING EXISTING PROBLEMS TO CONTINUE. Be optimistic people… Penang’s land space is very limited and at the same time property demand is always high.. so hillslope development is a MUST… now one can question on the impact on the environment following hillslope development, fair enough, so you should be pushing the government and authorities to re-enforce the law on hillslope property dev. and also to learn new tech. for hillslope dev. just like the govt’s latest proposal to learn from Hong Kong on hillslope dev. DEFINITELY NOT BLINDLY OPPOSING. ‘STOP OR BAN HILLSLOPE DEV. IN PENANG’ sounds absurd…
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Someone like goppal doesn’t get it.TBRA has been actively campaigning and trying to save hillslope erosion and most importantly lives.We would expect MPPP to possess integrity and not numbskull with no understanding of environmental preservation to allow greedy grasping developers to turn once green beautiful island into a hot concrete jungle.
Tourists who are attracted by the once naive charm of the island are now repelled by the concrete highrise blocks.
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Looking at these pics really making me sad and pissed off!!!
Who to blame? Khoo, you should be kicked out long time ago, you just a puppet… let’s the umno controlled.
I won’t blame new CM Lim, I will never ever, I know he is having really hard time that all … Khoo left behide. I always support you Mr Lim.
I’m a resident of Straits Regency in Tg. Bungah, how to stop this Surin project, don’t tell me, CM Lim has to come out with big lump sum of compensation for the developer?!
The developer and the council authorities won’t care, what they see only dollar sign!!! morever they not living close to these area.
We, the residents of St. Regency, Costal Tower suffer the most! This kinda project will never can approve in UNITED KINGDOM.
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